He returned a few minutes later with Noah. Hey little guy Amanda said, did you have a nice sleep? Nick handed him to her and said, someone needs a diaper change; I'm going to get his bag. OK she said and took the baby. She sat him on her knee and started playing clap hands with him. Nick walked back in and heard the giggles from Noah. He took out his phone and started recording what he was seeing. He smiled. After a few minutes he put the phone away and walked over to the couch. Hey, you two having fun? Yeah we are she replied, but now it's your turn to do the needful. He handed her the wipes and clean diaper and took Noah from her knee. He laid him down on his lap and undone the baby's clothes. He removed the diaper, cleaned him and Amanda handed him the new diaper. Less than 5 minutes later Noah was sitting on Nick's knee again playing peek a boo with him and Amanda. Amanda switched the TV on and found some cartoons. Noah put his arms out to reach her, someone wants you Auntie Amanda, she reached over and took him, he snuggled down on Amanda's knee and watched the TV. Nick looked at them both and smiled; she looked at him and said, down boy, you're letting your mind run again. He laughed and said, yeah, because you haven't had the same thoughts as me today. He grinned that sexy grin, raised his eyebrows and bent down and kissed her. Not yet Amaro, maybe down the line. He kissed her again and whispered, I'm going to hold you to that. She smiled and said, we'll see. She pulled Noah closer to her and kissed his head as she smiled. Nick went to make some tea. He sat back down and put his arm around Amanda; she leaned into him and sighed. You OK there? Yeah she said, this is nice, and she laughed. He smirked and said, yeah it is isn't it? She looked up at him, yeah, and kissed his lips again. Not long later Liv called Nick to say she would be coming to collect Noah. Ok he said, we're here at the house, be there in 20 mins she said. When they hung up Liv thought to herself, the house? That's twice he hasn't said home. She shook it off and said, you're over thinking it Benson. Nick came off the phone, hey little guy, mom's on her way for you. Amanda smiled; aw we've had a great day little guy. How long will she be? Around 20mins he said. Ok she said, how about I nip out and buy us some dinner, then, we can talk about houses and your plans. She smiled. OK, and he kissed her temple, I like that plan. She smiled and handed Noah to him. Ok little guy, Auntie Amanda will see you really soon, she kissed him and he waved. OK I'm going for a pee, then, I'll head out for food. She went to the bathroom and then came back out, lifted her handbag and said, ok baby, what do you want to eat….. you he said and grinned at her, she laughed and said, ok that can be later, but what about now? He laughed and said, you, and she said hey baby as much as I'd love to the little guy is wide awake and I'm not sure Liv would appreciate it. He smiled and said, Ok how about Pizza? Good call she said, she kissed him and said I'll be back soon. See ya little man. She headed out to get dinner. Not long after she left Liv arrived. Hey boys she said, so did you have fun today? Yeah we did, we went shopping, then for a walk in the park. Yeah? Noah reached for Olivia and she took him. So, where's Rollins? Oh she'd left to drop a few things back home and then pick up some dinner. You wanna stay for some pizza? She'll be back shortly. Umm, no, thank you though, I just wanna get home and sit in front of the TV with a glass of wine. You sure? There's plenty to go around. Yeah I'm sure. Thanks Nick. She put Noah down and he toddled off, so how are things going with you two? Yeah, he smiled, good, really good actually. We're taking it slow but for the 1st time in a long time I'm happy. She smiled and said good, I'm glad to hear it Nick. I'm glad for both of you. Thanks, he said quietly, and what about you and Barba he asked, you two ok? Yeah, she said smiling, like you, we're taking it day by day, but yeah, we're good. We're happy. Good he said, I'm glad for a change we're all happy and he smiled. So, nothing you wanna tell me she said, he looked… Huh? What do you mean? She looked at his bewilderment. And she smiled; you really have no idea what I'm talking about do you? He looked at her thinking what the hell is she on about. Liv, I'm lost here you wanna enlighten me? no I think I'm barking up the wrong tree Nick, the look on your face is telling me that. Ok, now I'm even more confused, and she laughed. Honestly Nick ignore me, I've just over thought some things and got the wrong end of the stick. Well you wanna tell me what the stick was telling you even? She laughed and replied, no, it's OK, maybe later. I'm gonna get this little guy home, fed and bathed. Just at that Amanda returned with food. Oh, Hey Liv, how are you? I'm good thanks. You staying for dinner? No, no thanks, I'm just saying to Nick I'm gonna head off to get this fella fed and bathed, then there is a big glass of wine with my name on it. Amanda laughed, ok if you're sure cause there's loads here. Another time, I'll leave you two to enjoy your time off, you don't want the boss sticking around longer than needed. Nick laughed and said, I never thought of it like that actually. No, me neither, you're a friend too Liv, and a good one at that. Thanks guys but really, we're going to head off. OK, oh by the way Amanda said, if you ever need me to, I can pick Noah up for you. Liv looked and Nick said, yeah, we bought a car seat for her car today, after this morning. Yeah, she said, I should have thought of getting one before today to be honest. Aw that's great to know here let me give you the money for it. Olivia Benson don't you even think about it said Amanda. Ok she laughed and said, but now I know you've got a seat I've got both of you to shout on if needed so thank you guys. I really appreciate all the help. No problem they said.
They said their goodbyes, Liv drove off. Amanda sat out the dinner on the table and Nick brought them a beer each. They sat down and talked about different things. The subject then switched to the house sale again. I phoned the real estate agent while you were away he said. Wow that was quick she said, yeah well, no point in wasting time. Someone's coming out on Monday morning to look at the house for a value. Ok, she said, so is there anything we need to do here before they come? Nah, I'll give it a quick tidy and wash the floors etc on Sunday. Well I can help with that babe, I don't mind. He smiled and said thanks. We can go visit the other house tomorrow if you'd like? She looked again and said, you arranged a viewing already? He smiled and said, well technically I already own the house, I've just never lived in it. She was confused. OK Amaro you're going to have to back up and explain this to me. He smiled and said well no-one at work knows this but my abuelo had some real estate and left it to me when he died. Maria didn't know about some of them either. Some of them? she repeated, yeah, there's a house up in Queens and there's 2 apartments rented out not far from central park. My sister has the other 2 apartments here and a villa in Florida, aswell as the house she lives in there. My mum has another villa there. I also have one in Orlando, and one that's a holiday let in Miami. There's one more house here that was used as a kind of holiday home. The guests left yesterday, and the cleaners were going in today to do the needful. He smiled and took her hands in his. I want you to come with me tomorrow to look at that house. See what you think of it. Wow, I didn't realise you had so much property she said, he shrugged and said, well it was only sorted out a few months ago, my abuelo done well for himself and wanted us to be secure. He left the majority to me as head of family so to speak. He was traditional that way. She smiled, OK she said, if you're sure you want to move there. He smiled and said yeah, I think it's the perfect place to make a new start, she kissed his hands and said, so where is this house? It's not far from here actually. That's all I'm getting? Yep, that's all you're getting. They tidied away and he said I'm going to make a start on this tree. OK she said, get the boxes and I'll help. An hour later the decorations were down, Amanda had hoovered the whole house and he had washed the floors. She was just finishing dusting the surfaces, when he came up behind her and handed her a beer. Oh thank you honey. That's enough cleaning he said. The rest of the night was spent cuddling on the couch watching movies, and another long night of lovemaking.